Case for portable electronic device

ABSTRACT

A case for a portable electronic device includes a shell having an interface aperture and a circular channel within a rear surface. The case further includes a disc captured within the circular channel, wherein the disc has a strap exposed on a surface proximate to the rear surface. Alternatively, the case includes sleeve portions that have apertures on front planar surfaces and semicircular channels on corresponding rear surfaces. The sleeve portions are adapted to mate at a connection interface wherein the semicircular channels collectively form a circular channel. The case optionally includes ridges that protrude from the rear surfaces and optionally includes one or more retractable legs that enable support of the case in at least one of a landscape orientation and a portrait orientation.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Pursuant to 35 U.S.C. section 119(e)(1), this application for patent claims priority to the filing date of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/343,277 filed 26 Apr. 2010, which is herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In recent years, cellular phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs) and other portable electronic devices have gained world-wide popularity. These devices continue to evolve as display, processing, memory and communication technologies improve. For example, mobile phones have evolved to include internet access, forming handheld PDAs that have broad feature sets. Further evolution has led to a new class of thin, lightweight “tablet” devices, such as an iPAD provided by APPLE, Inc. of Cupertino, Calif., which may include a large display/interface screen, feature sets of a PDA, and processing capabilities that rival those of a powerful laptop computer. While these tablet devices, or “tablets” have large display/interface screens, the viewing area of the screens is typically reduced or obstructed when a user holds or otherwise supports the tablet. To maintain a full viewing area, a user may cradle, or otherwise support a backside of the tablet with an open palm of one hand, while operating the display/interface screen with the other hand. This cradling technique does not secure the tablet in the user's hand and may lead the user to drop the tablet, which could damage the tablet.

Alternatively, a user may “pinch” an edge of the tablet to maintain a full viewing area during use. While this typically prevents the user from dropping the tablet, this pinching may cause hand fatigue or even injury to a user who operates the tablet for an extended period of time. Injuries from use of these portable electronic devices are likely to increase, because as capabilities and features of the devices continue to expand, users of the devices tend to spend correspondingly more time operating the devices.

The display/interface screens of modern portable electronic devices typically have a “landscape” mode, or alternatively, a “portrait” mode of operation that may be designated by changing the physical orientation of the portable electronic device relative to the direction of the Earth's gravity. However, this may require an awkward re-positioning of the device by a user, which may interrupt the user's operation of the device or increase the likelihood that the device may be dropped by the user.

In view of the above, there is a need for a system for securing the tablet during use that reduces the likelihood that the tablet will be dropped and that reduces fatigue or long-term injuries that may occur from pinching an edge of the tablet for an extended period of time. In addition, there is a preference for the system to provide for convenient transitioning between landscape and portrait modes of operation for the portable electronic device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A case for a portable electronic device according to embodiments of the present invention includes a shell having an interface aperture and a circular channel within a rear surface. The case further includes a disc captured within the circular channel, wherein the disc has a strap exposed on a surface proximate to the rear surface. The case optionally includes ridges that protrude from the rear planar surfaces and optionally includes one or more retractable legs that enable support of the case in at least one of a landscape orientation and a portrait orientation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention can be better understood with reference to the following Figures. The components in the Figures are not necessarily to scale. Emphasis is instead placed upon illustrating the principles and elements of the present invention.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a case according to embodiments of the present invention.

FIGS. 2A-2B show detailed views of one example of a disc included with the case according to embodiments of the present invention.

FIGS. 3A-3B show detailed views of elements of the case shown in FIG. 1.

FIGS. 4A-4C show side views of the case according to alternative embodiments of the present invention.

FIGS. 5A-5C show bottom views of the case according to alternative embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of the case according to alternative embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a case 100 for a portable electronic device including a first sleeve portion 1 a and a second sleeve portion 1 b according to embodiments of the present invention. The portable electronic device (not shown) typically includes a personal digital assistant (PDA), tablet device, electronic book, or any other type of device, element, or system that has a display/interface screen. The display/interface screen is typically an LED screen or other type of flat screen that provides for viewing and/or touch-screen entry of keystrokes or other inputs or manipulations.

In FIG. 1, arrows A1, A2 indicate displacement directions for joining the sleeve portions 1 a, 1 b at a connection interface C. When joined, the resulting sleeve portions 1 a, 1 b form a shell 1 (shown in FIG. 4A) for the case 100 that is suitable for accommodating the portable electronic device. The sleeve portions 1 a, 1 b are typically formed from plastic, rubber, or other material suitable to protect the portable electronic device that is installed in the shell 1 from one or more of mechanical shocks and vibrations, moisture, and other environmental conditions that the portable electronic device may be exposed to during transport, storage or use.

The first sleeve portion 1 a and the second sleeve portion 1 b have apertures 2 a, 2 b that form an interface aperture defined by a rail R when the first sleeve portion 1 a and the second sleeve portion 1 b mate at the connection interface C. The rail R typically wraps around the edges of the portable electronic device, securing the portable electronic device within the shell 1 and establishing an unobstructed viewing area or interface area for the display/interface screen of the portable electronic device. While the examples show the rail R as a continuous element that forms the perimeter of the shell 1, the rail R is alternatively discontinuous about the perimeter of the shell 1, and may be formed from a series of one or more rail sections, or one or more tabs that are suitable to secure the portable electronic device in the shell 1.

The first and second sleeve portions 1 a, 1 b have corresponding semicircular channels 5 a, 5 b on rear planar surfaces 4 a, 4 b, so that when the sleeve portions 1 a, 1 b are joined at the connection interface C, the semicircular channels 5 a, 5 b collectively form a circular channel 5, as shown in the rear views of the case 100 in FIGS. 5A-5B. The connection interface C is typically formed from an interlocking portion Ca that couples or connects with a complementary interlocking portion Cb. The interlocking portions Ca, Cb may include a male tab and a female receptacle that interlock in a male-female configuration. Alternatively, the interlocking portions Ca, Cb may mate in a sexless configuration wherein the interlocking portion Ca and complementary interlocking portion Cb include overlapping ridge portions that interlock or otherwise capture each other to form the connection interface C.

A disc 6 (shown in the detailed views of FIGS. 2A-2B) is positioned within the semicircular channels 5 a, 5 b, and is captured within the circular channel 5 when the interlocking portions Ca, Cb of the sleeve portions 1 a, 1 b, respectively, are mated at the connection interface C, as shown in FIG. 4A. The disc 6 has a strap 7 exposed on a surface proximate to the first and second rear planar surfaces 4 a, 4 b. This configuration enables the strap 7 to be accessed from the rear planar surface 4 of the case 100 that is formed, for example, by the first and second rear planar surfaces 4 a, 4 b. In the example shown in FIGS. 2A-2B, the disc 6 includes two opposing disc plates 6 a, 6 b that fasten the edges of the strap 7 when the disc plates 6 a, 6 b are secured together. In this example, the disc plates 6 a, 6 b include a pair of annular rings. In another example, the disc plates 6 a, 6 b include one annular ring and one solid disc (not shown), wherein the annular ring is positioned on the side of the disc 6 that enables the access to the strap 7 from the rear planar surface 4. In another example, the disc 6 is formed from a single element and the strap 7 is secured to the disc 6 using fasteners (not shown). Alternatively, the disc 6 and strap 7 are integrated into a single element. During typical operation of a portable electronic device, a user may slide one hand through the strap 7, securely attaching the disc 6 and shell 1 of the case 100 to the hand.

FIGS. 3A-3B show detailed sectional views of a representative one of the semicircular channels 5 a, 5 b that is included in the sleeve portions 1 a, 1 b. In this example, the semicircular channel 5 a is shown. The semicircular channels 5 a, 5 b, which capture the disc 6 when the sleeve portions 1 a, 1 b are mated, enable the disc 6 to rotate about an axis A (shown in FIGS. 4A-4B) that is perpendicular to the rear planar surface 4. The strap 7 and rotatable arrangement of the disc 6 within the circular channel 5 enable a user of the portable electronic device to conveniently change between landscape and portrait operating modes of the portable electronic device, while the portable electronic device is secured within the shell 1 and to the user's hand via the strap 7. Thus, transitioning between these two operating modes may be achieved without awkward repositioning of the user's hand and without un-securing the portable electronic device from the user's hand. This provides the user with uninterrupted operation of the portable electronic device and reduces the likelihood that the user will drop the portable electronic device, merely because the user chooses to change between landscape and portrait operating modes. FIGS. 3A-3B also show detailed views of the rail R that defines the interface aperture 2 to accommodate the display/interface screen of the portable electronic device, and that leaves the display/interface screen of the portable electronic device open and accessible for use and viewing.

FIG. 4A shows an example of a side view of case 100 wherein the circular channel 5 protrudes from an outer side of the rear planar surfaces 4 a, 4 b of the shell 1. This enables in an inner side 4 x (shown in FIG. 3B) of the rear planar surface 4 to provide a flat interface to the typically flat backside surface of the portable electronic device. Alternatively, the inner side 4 x of the rear planar surface 4 has any other type of contoured interface suitable to accommodate a backside surface of the portable electronic device when the portable electronic device has other than a flat backside surface. In another example, the semicircular channels 5 a, 5 b protrude from the inner side 4 x of the rear planar surface 4, rather than from the outer side of the rear planar surface 4. Alternatively, the semicircular channels 5 a, 5 b are coplanar with the rear planar surface 4, which reduces protrusion of the circular channel 5 from either the inner side or outer side of the rear planar surface.

In the example shown in FIG. 4B, a case 102 includes the shell 1 formed as a single element, rather than from the first sleeve portion 1 a and the second sleeve portion 1 b that are joined at the connection interface C as in the case 100. In this example, circular channel 5 is formed as a continuous element, rather than with the semicircular channels 5 a, 5 b. The disc 6 is either formed within the continuous circular channel 5, or the disc 6 is inserted into the continuous circular channel 5, for example, by temporarily deforming the circular channel 5 to accommodate the insertion of the disc 6. After the temporary deformation of the circular channel 5, the disc 6 remains captured within the circular channel 5 in a similar fashion to that of the case 100. Alternatively, the disc 6 and the circular channel 5 are formed, integrated or configured in any suitable manner that provides for relative rotation between the disc 6 and the circular channel 5 about the axis A.

The protrusion of the semicircular channels 5 a, 5 b from the rear planar surface 4 as shown in FIGS. 4A-4B enables the user's hand (not shown) to have a more natural or comfortable position once the hand is inserted through the strap 7. The palm of the user's hand typically rests on the surface of the disc 6 proximate to the strap 7 and on the portions of the semicircular channels 5 a, 5 b that protrude from the outer side of the rear planar surface 4.

In one example shown in FIGS. 5A-5B, each of the sleeve portions 1 a, 1 b of the shell 1 includes a ridge 8 a, 8 b that protrudes from a corresponding one of the rear planar surfaces 4 a, 4 b. The ridges 8 a, 8 b typically protrude further from the rear planar surface 4 than the semicircular channels 5 a, 5 b so that the ridges 8 a, 8 b define a contact region between the shell 1 and an external surface, such as a desk top or table (not shown) when the case 100 is placed on the external surface. The ridges 8 a, 8 b are typically formed to accommodate the protrusion of the disc 6, from the rear planar surface 4 so that the contact region between the shell 1 and the external surface defines a plane. In the example shown in FIGS. 5A-5B, the ridges 8 a, 8 b are positioned along the top and bottom edges of the shell 1, are similar in length and are symmetrically positioned about the disc 6. Alternatively, the shell 1 includes only one of the ridges 8 a, 8 b, or more than the two ridges 8 a, 8 b.

The shell 1 typically includes access ports 9 that enable external connections to be made through the rail R between the portable electronic device and external devices or systems (not shown).

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of the case 100 according to alternative embodiments of the present invention. In this example, the ridges 8 a, 8 b on the shell 1 include retractable legs 12 a, 12 b. The legs 12 a, 12 b are mounted to the ridges 8 a, 8 b with hinges 11 a, 11 b. In a closed position (not shown), the legs 12 a, 12 b retract within optional recesses 13 a, 13 b formed in the ridges 8 a, 8 b, and securely lock into place within the recesses 13 a, 13 b. Accordingly, when the legs 12 a, 12 b are not used, the ridges 8 a, 8 b provide the contact region for the shell 1 and an external surface and accommodate the protrusion of the disc 6 from the rear planar surface of the shell 1. In an open position (shown in FIG. 6), the legs 12 a, 12 b are extended to provide support for the case 100, which enables for an optional “hands-free” viewing or operation of the portable electronic device. In the example shown in FIG. 6, the case 100 is supported in the landscape orientation, which accommodates the landscape operating mode of the portable electronic device.

In an alternative example, the case 100 includes ridges and legs (not shown) that are oriented in a direction perpendicular to that of the ridges 8 a, 8 b and legs 12 a, 12 b shown in FIG. 6, to enable “hands-free” viewing and operation of the portable electronic device while the case 100 is supported in the portrait orientation, which accommodates the portrait operating mode of the portable electronic device. These perpendicularly oriented ridges and legs may be included in addition to, or in place of the ridges 8 a, 8 b and legs 12 a, 12 b that are shown in FIG. 6. While the ridges are shown in a parallel arrangement, the ridges 8 a, 8 b may have alternative configurations that may accommodate the legs 12 a, 12 b or accommodate for the protrusion of the disc 6 from the rear planar surface 4.

In another example shown in FIGS. 4C and 5C, a case 102 includes the disc 6 pivotally mounted to the rear planar surface 4 with a pin, rivet or other type of fastener P. The pivotal mounting of the disc 6 provided by the fastener P enables the disc 6 to rotate about the axis A that is perpendicular to the rear planar surface 4. The pivotal mounting in one example, enables the disc 6 to rotate freely about the axis A. In another example shown in FIG. 5C, the pivotal mounting is inhibited, controlled or limited with a series of one or more rotation stops S that establish a series of rotation positions, typically at ninety degree increments (as shown) or smaller or larger degree increments. The rotation stops S are typically bumps that protrude slightly from the rear planar surface 4, so as to enable the disc 6 to rotate about the axis A of the fastener P when sufficient rotating force is applied between the shell 1 and the disc 6, but to otherwise enable the disc 6 to rest in alternative positions POS1, POS2 relative to the shell 1 of the case 100, 102, as designated by the positions of the stops S on the rear planar surface 4. In this example, the disc 6 is shown having a rectangular shape. Alternatively, the disc 6 has any other suitable shape that accommodates the strap 7 and the pivotal mounting of the disc 6 to the rear planar surface 4.

While the embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated in detail, it should be apparent that modifications and adaptations to these embodiments may occur to one skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention as set forth in the following claims. 

1. A case for a portable electronic device, comprising: a shell having an aperture defined by a rail, and having a circular channel on a rear planar surface; and a disc in a rotatable arrangement within the circular channel, the disc also having a strap.
 2. The case of claim 1 wherein the rail is adapted to secure the portable electronic device within the shell to establish at least one of a viewing area and an interface area for the portable electronic device.
 3. The case of claim 1 wherein the rail is continuous about a perimeter of the shell.
 4. The case of claim 1 wherein the rotatable arrangement between the disc and the circular channel is about an axis perpendicular to the rear planar surface.
 5. The case of claim 4 wherein the rotatable arrangement between the disc and the circular channel accommodates at least a landscape operating mode and a portrait mode of the portable electronic device.
 6. The case of claim 1 wherein the rear planar surface of the shell includes a contoured interface on an inner side that is suitable to accommodate a backside surface of the portable electronic device.
 7. The case of claim 1 wherein the rail includes access ports that accommodate external connections to the portable electronic device.
 8. The case of claim 1 wherein the strap is proximate to an outer side of the rear planar surface and is adapted to receive a human hand inserted within the strap of the disc.
 9. The case of claim 1 wherein the shell includes one or more retractable legs that in the open position support the shell in at least one of a landscape orientation and a portrait orientation.
 10. A case, comprising: a shell having an aperture defined by a rail adapted to secure a portable electronic device within the shell; and a disc having a strap exposed proximate to a rear surface of the shell, wherein the disc is pivotally fastened to the shell, providing for rotation of the disc about an axis perpendicular to the rear surface.
 11. The case of claim 10 wherein the rail establishes at least one of a viewing area and an interface area for the portable electronic device.
 12. The case of claim 10 wherein the rail is continuous about a perimeter of the shell.
 13. The case of claim 10 wherein the rotation between the disc and the circular channel accommodates at least a landscape operating mode of the portable electronic device and a portrait mode of the portable electronic device.
 14. The case of claim 10 wherein the rear surface includes a contoured interface on an inner side that is suitable to accommodate a backside surface of the portable electronic device.
 15. The case of claim 10 wherein the rail includes access ports that accommodate external connections to the portable electronic device.
 16. The case of claim 10 wherein the strap is adapted to receive a human hand.
 17. The case of claim 10 wherein the shell includes one or more retractable legs that in the open position support the shell in at least one of a landscape orientation and a portrait orientation. 